John Schaus

Senior Fellow, International Security Program
John Schaus

John Schaus is a senior fellow in the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he focuses on U.S. defense issues in the Indo-Pacific region and on long-term futures. Prior to his current position, he served in several roles in the Defense Department, including leading efforts on China and working with U.S. allies and partners throughout the Indo-Pacific region. He holds a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University in Minnesota and a master’s from the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

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Executive Education

Understanding Washington

Understanding Washington offers embassy, business, and nonprofit professionals the tools and knowledge necessary to better navigate the Washington policy ecosystem.

Course Date: March 20, 2023
Registration Closes: March 11, 2023

Is ITAR Working in an Era of Great Power Competition?

Allies and partners are looking to the United States for arms to deter aggression or defend themselves. Yet a common concern is that the International Trafficking in Arms Regulation (ITAR) slows the process. What is the process, and why is it important?

Critical Questions by John Schaus and Elizabeth Hoffman — February 24, 2023

Building on China’s Mistake to Advance U.S. Interests after the Balloon

China’s spy balloon caught Americans' attention last week. It overflew both U.S. and Canadian airspace, including numerous sensitive locations. With Washington divided politically, what actually happened and what should U.S. leaders aim to do next?

Critical Questions by John Schaus — February 8, 2023

Decisionmaking at the Speed of the Digital Era

Despite recognizing the need for more effective competition with China, the Defense Department has been slow to adopt low-cost, rapid methods to analyze problems and identify solutions at the speed of change. This brief highlights one way to do just that.

Brief by John Schaus and Laura Bocek — August 16, 2022

Biden’s Taiwan Position Is Not an Accident

President Biden deviated from Washington orthodoxy on Taiwan for the third time in six months. It is time to realize he is serious in signaling his intent to support the rules-based international order to deter China from upending the order like Russia has.

Critical Questions by John Schaus — May 27, 2022

Saint Javelin of Limited Supply

Ukraine is proving the value of precision-guided weapons. It is also demonstrating the mismatch between how slowly militaries acquire those weapons and how quickly they are used. The United States should work with its allies now to address the gap.

Commentary by John Schaus — March 28, 2022

Early Lessons for the United States from Russia’s Second Ukraine Invasion

The conflict in Ukraine has upended assumptions about the international order. Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion also offers lessons for other parts of the world to better prepare for future authoritarian disruptions, especially for the United States in Asia.

Commentary by John Schaus — March 4, 2022